\u201cBeing last to go helped, the crowd was screaming so I got excited. He is really fast, so for the last jump I said to myself \u2018Let\u2019s go for it\u2019 and it worked out,\u201d Martinengo Marquet smiled after her win.<\/p>\n
The jump-off was full of top names, after nine of the 89 horse-and-rider combinations in the class managed to produce clear rounds over G\u00e9rard Lachat\u2019s (SUI) first round track that counted thirteen fences \u2013 including both a triple combination and a combination. A factor that proved to keep quite a few out of the jump-off, was the time-allowed. World no. one Steve Guerdat (SUI) was one of the ten riders missing out when crossing the finish line outside the maximum time of 75 seconds to record a single penalty.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the course was quite challenging, maybe more due to the time allowed than the track itself. It was not massive, but it was delicate and technical \u2013 making it tough enough,\u201d commented Martinengo Marquet afterwards.<\/p>\n
First to return for the jump-off was the notoriously fast Harold Boisset (FRA) on Katinka vh Valenberghof (Corland x Montender).\u00a0\u00a0The French rider \u2013 a winner of numerous classes in Oliva Nova \u2013 opened with another clear round in 43.94 seconds. While Roberto Previtali (ITA) and Niall Talbot (IRL) both had a rail down over the shortened track, Ulrich Kirchhoff (UKR) slotted into a temporary second with a clear round in 46.28 seconds.<\/p>\n
As next to go, former world no. one Scott Brash (GBR) rode a beautiful yet efficient round on Hello Shelby (Stolzenberg x For Pleasure) to stop the clocks at 43.81 seconds to push in ahead of Boisset. When Alberto Zorzi (ITA) and Cinsey (Contendro I x For Pleasure) could not catch up with the top two with their time of 44.03 seconds, things were looking good for Brash with only three to come.<\/p>\n
When Brash\u2019s compatriot Emily Moffitt (GBR) had a pole down on the second oxer, a place on a podium was guaranteed for the British ace but the question was still if it would be good enough for the win.<\/p>\n
Michael Hughes (USA) entered the Oliva Nova ring next, and with Baldur 75 (Baloussini x Candidatus) the stylish American rider tightened the turns and chased Brash while being cheered and whistled on by the crowds. Crossing the finish line, the clocks showed 43.72 seconds and there was a new leader.<\/p>\n
For Giulia Martinengo Marquet it was a case of all or nothing, and the Italian rider went for the first alternative \u2013 going for it with all the risk while being pushed on by the crowds. Martinengo Marquet\u2019s risk-taking paid off though, as she managed to push the time down to 43.16 seconds to snatch the win from Hughes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have been riding my horse Elzas for one-and-a-half year, but we have been taking it slowly because he was quite green. The idea was to come here to give him a bit more experience, and today he was absolutely fantastic. He is a really fast horse, this we knew already, but he did not have much experience in the bigger classes so obviously I am really happy with what he showed today,\u201d\u00a0Martinengo Marquet said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am a repeater,\u201d Martinengo Marquet laughed about her love for the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour and Oliva Nova. \u201cI have been coming here for eight years. I find it the best place on earth to compete, I love everything about it. I think the facilities are great, and I really like the new sand arena. And of course, I love to take the horses to the beach \u2013 it\u2019s such a nice way of changing the way of working them. It really relaxes them, and they get fit in another way \u2013 and as a rider you also have a lot of fun!\u201d<\/p>\n
The Spring MET II now enters its last week of competition, with a CSI3* running through from Tuesday 19th to Sunday 24th before the Tour returns for its third part in March.<\/p>\n